State Doing Number On Highway Exits

If one day you decide to get off at Exit 49 on Interstate 95, then realize it's a different number, don't fret.

The renumbering is part of a years-long program by the state Department of Transportation to help motorists travel Florida's highways.

"Rather than a consecutive numbering system, the exit numbers will be the same as the nearest mile marker on the road," said Barbara Kelleher, public information director for the Florida Department of Transportation.

The new numbering systems, which already exist on Florida's Turnpike, will affect all major interstates, including 95, 75 and 4. DOT also will change the numbers on exit signs along the smaller interstates, such as 595 and 275.

The total project, estimated to cost $5 million, will take several years to complete. DOT officials will begin on I-95 at the Florida-Georgia border and head south. Installation of the new signs will take at least two years.

Kelleher said the system will help motorists calculate travel time and make it more consistent with other numbering systems around the country. Georgia transportation officials are changing signs there, she said.

To make the transition easier on motorists and businesses, DOT will leave the old exit numbers on the new signs for two years.

"This is a huge undertaking," Kelleher said.

Motorists won't be the only ones affected by the changes. Businesses, map makers, chambers of commerce and other tourism officials will have to make note of the changes on their brochures or other literature.

Bill Wood, president of the Delray Beach Chamber of Commerce, said he didn't think the new numbering system would affect his organization since the chamber's literature doesn't list any exit numbers.

"I can't think of anything that I've put exit [numbers] on, but it would make sense to," Wood said.

Stella M. ChM-avez can be reached at schavez@sun-sentinel.com or 561-243-6602.